Turbulent Natural Convection in a Differentially Heated Vertical Channel

The turbulence natural convection boundary layer inside a infinite vertical channel with differentially heated walls is analyzed based on a similarity solution methodology. The differences between mean temperature and velocity profiles in a boundary layer along a vertical flat plate and in a channel flow, make it necessary to introduce new sets of scaling parameters. In the limit as H* → ∞, two distinctive parts are considered: an outer region which dominates the core of the flow and inner constant heat flux region close to the walls. The proper inner scaling velocity is showed to be determined by the outer parameters due to momentum integral. The theory is contrasted with the one suggested by George & Capp (1), the deficiencies of which are identified.